August Festivals

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha literally means ‘protection’ and bandhan means ‘binding’. This festival of love between brothers and sisters is a major Hindu festival which falls on the full moon day in the month of Shravana in North India. It is marked by sisters tying a protective amulet on the writs of their brothers for their long life and protection. The brothers on their part pledge to protect their sisters against any danger.

This festival is restricted to North Indian households. Like any other festive day, on Raksha Bandhan too, houses are cleaned. The puja begins after the customary bath. Sisters then prepare the puja thali, which is a plate containing a betel leaf, betel nuts, rice grains, sandal paste, vermillion, some sweets, a rakhi and an oil lamp. The betel leaf and betel nuts symbolise long life, the sandal paste - bravery and the diya represents the eternal nature of relationship between brother and sister. The rice grains are a symbol of happiness and joy. The sister then performs the aarti and applies tilak of sandal paste, vermillion and rice grains on the forehad. She then ties rakhi on his wrist and gives some sweets to him.

Traditionally the sister does not eat anything before tying the rakhi. She breaks her fast after accepting some sweets from her brother after the ceremony. The brother on his part gives money or some sweets according to his means.

Postal department works overtime to deliver rakhis on time. The market too buzzes with activity a few days before the festival. Craftsmen summon all their creativity in making rakhis which are available in all shapes, sizes and colours. They are made traditional silken threads and are also as more elaborate flowers made of felt, sponge, coloured paper or embroidered cloth.

Myth I

According to Puranas, Rakshabandhan is a custom which helped in smooth functioning of the society. It was believed on this day, one should have a protective amulet tied. Thus, Brahmins tied a rakshita on the wrist of people of all castes to the rectitation of a protective mantra. And they were given a handsome donation for this service. The rakshita was believed to protect against any calamity or danger for a whole year.

Myth II

According to Bhavishyaottara Purana, Indra’s wife tied a Rakshikasutra on his arm which allowed him to emerge victorious against the asuras.

Myth III

Some feel that this festival occurs during the rainy month of August during which one is more prone to danger of natural calamities like floods or snake bites. It was hence considered appropriate to have a protective ceremony during this time.

Myth IV

According to Markandeya Purana, one-day Yama, the God of death and his sister Yami were walking down the avenues of Mirtyuloka, the world of the dead. Suddenly Yami felt sexually aroused, after being hit by an arrow of Kama, who was upto his usual mischief. Not finding any man near her, she asked Yama to satisfy her desires. Engraged Yama chastised her for her incestuous feelings and left immediately. Later Yama realised that Kama was responsible for this episode and cursed him. He stated that Kama will be unable to meet his wife for a year and would have to perform severe penance to atone for his sin. Yama then tied a rakshita around Yami’s writs to protect her from all unwanted and undesired things.

Myth V

According to a Rajasthani folktale, once upon a time there was girl who had no brothers. On Rakshabandhan when all the other sisters were tying rakhi on their brothers wrist and offered them sweets she felt lonely. Weeping she lamented that there was no one to accept her rakhi. Her mother tried to pacify her but she could not be consoled. Eventually she wiped away her tears. Taking a rakhi, she told her mother that she would offer it to Ganesha. She went to the temple and requested the God to accept her offer. After she had sat before him with folded hands for a long time, the God acquiesced and left his throne. The girl was delighted and she invited Ganesha home. Seeing her daughter return with the God, her mother was speechless. She humbly offered whatever was available at home. Satisfied God left home and when the next day the girl woke up, the girl and the mother found themselves lying on golden cots with thick cushions attended by angels in a palatial house.

Myth VI

During the Mughal period, many Rajput princesses sent rakhis to Muslim rulers whom they wanted to befriend and accept as protectors of their kingdom. Humayun received a rakhi from Karmavati, the Queen of Chittor asking him to help her fight the King of Gujarat. To honour the rakhi Humayun left his state to a rebellious chieftain, unsure of whether he would have a kingdom to return to.

Krishna Janmashtami

This Hindu festival, which falls during the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra, is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Krishna to annihilate Kansa. It is marked by fasts, prayers and the enactment of incident from Krishna’s childhood.

This festival is very popular in North India. People observe a day-long fast which is broken only at midnight, the time when Krishna is believed to have been born. The festival is a community celebration, and people visit Krishna temples which are specially decorated and lit for the occasion.

The image of Krishna is ceremonially bathed in a mixture of curds, milk, honey, dry fruit and basil or tulasi leaves. This mixture is then distributed as prasad to all devotees. The idol is dressed in new clothes and offered food, sweets, fruit and calorified butter. Priests chant mantras from religious scriptures. The temple too reverberates with devotional songs in praise of the God.

A little before midnight, devotees pour into temples to participate in the aarti and to relive the birth of Kirshna. Till midnight, devotional songs are sung in anticipation of the holy birth. Special cradles are installed at temples and a small statue of God is placed in them. At exactly midnight, temple bells are rung to announce the birth of Krishna. Everyone clamours to rock the cradle of the newborn. Then a special aarti is performed after which devotees partake the special prasad.

The Dharamshastras specify the day to be celebrated as a vrata. The Bhavishya Purana cautions against the non-observance of this vrata saying, “Whether a man or woman, if one neglects to observe the birthday vrata of Lord Krishna, the defaulter shall be re-born as a female serpent in a deep forest.”

Interesting games commemorate this festival. One of the most popular is the breaking of dahi handi. A terracotta pot containing, milk, butter and curd is hung high up across a street. Groups of men form a pyramid to tray and break this pot. The group that succeeds in breaking the pot is named the winner. This game is specially dear to Krishna and his friends. Another form of public recreation is the Raslila.

Myth I

According to Puranas, Kansa was an evil king of Mathura who had overthrown his father and imprisoned him. His atrocities drove the Gods to Vishnu who promised to take his eighth incarnation in human world. He was then born as Krishna in the 28th year of Dwapara Yuga. Kansa had a cousin called Devaki, whom he loved dearly. In due course, Kansa arranged a suitable match for her and married her off to him. However, an oracle foretold Kansa that Devaki’s eighth child would be responsible for his death. Enraged Kansa was about to slice off her head and when husband Vasudeva intervened. He begged Kansa not to kill Devaki and in return promised to give him all their children at birth. Kansa agreed but imprisoned the couple to ensure this. In time, he killed six of their children by throwing them aside a stone slab outside the prison. The seventh child was however, transferred to the womb of Rohini another of Vasudeva’s wives and Kansa believed that Devaki suffered a miscarriage. When she was expecting the eighth child, Kansa increased the security of the prison and ordered the guards to bring the new born to him the moment he was born.

It was midnight on the eighth day in the month of Shravana on a dark, rainy and windy night. Just before the child was born, the guards fell into a deep slumber and the locks of the prison opened. Devaki and Vasudeva too were freed of their binds. And Krishna was born. A voice from heavens instructed Devaki and Vasudeva to take Krishna to Gokul. There he should go to the house of his sister Yashoda and replace Krishna with their newborn daughter. Vasudeva put his son in a basket and went quickly towards Yamuna. On reaching the shores he saw the water level rising. He put the basket on his head and began to wade through. The water level rose but everytime it touched the baby’s feet it receded. Suddenly a cobra sprang out of the water. Vasudeva froze but the snake stopped to spread its hood over the basket. It was the Shesha Naga protecting Krishna from the rain. Vasudeva realised that his baby was not an ordinary person. He hurried to Gokul, exchanged the children and returned to the prison.

As soon as he entered the prison the guards awoke and the locks closed. Hearing the baby cry they informed Kansa who rushed to the prison. He was about to smash the little girl against the stone slab, when she slipped out of his hands. As she rose out towards the sky, she warned him that the one responsible for his death was safe.

When Krishna grew up, he killed his evil uncle and restored the throne to his grandfather.

Naga Panchami

This popular Hindu festival, which falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Shravana, is observed to minimise the danger of snake bites in the monsoon months. It is marked by offering milk to the snakes and is most popular in South India.

Naga means serpent and panchami is the fifth day. Naga Panchami is the festival of snakes celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Shravana. The festival falls during the rainy months and is believed to counter the increased possiblity of a snake bite during this time. People visit temples specially dedicated to snakes and worship them. Shiva temples are also favoured places for veneration as snakes are considered dear to him. In South India, people craft images of snakes using cowdung on either side of the entrance to the house to welcome the snake god.

Snakes are believed to like milk. As this is the day the serpents, devotees pour milk on into all the holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate them. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake acutally drinks the milk, it is considered auspicious for the devotee. This festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm especially by women.

Legend I

According to a folk tale, Kadru, the mother of the nagas, once had a bet with her sister Vinata about the colour of the tail of Indra’s horse. She asserted that the tail was black even though the horse was absolutely white. According to Vinata however, the tail of the horse was as white as the rest of it. Kadru then asked her sons the nagas to coil around the white tail of the horse so that it appeared black. When they refused to participate in deceit, Kadru cursed them to be consumed by fire for disobeying her. Brahma, however, softened the curse and sent them to live in the netherworld. This happened on the fifth day of the month of Shravana and because the lives of the nagas was spared on this day, it is considered auspicious for snake worship.

Legend II

According to Bhavishya Purana when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritrashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravana, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.

Again according to Bhavishya Purana, worshippers should make gold, silver or clay images of snakes and worship them with kaner, jasmine and incense, feed Brahmins with ghee and kheer and bathe the snake images with milk. The Bhavishyottara Purana enjoins a person to make figures of cowdung and place them on both sides of his door. He should then worship them with curds, Durva tendrils, Kusha grass, sandalwood paste, flowers and presents of food.

Teej

The festival of Teej celebrates the onset of the monsoon in the month of Shravana, after the long and arduous summer. The day commemorates the event of Parvati leaving the home of her parents as a bride and Shiva coming to fetch her. This festival is extremely popular among women in North India.

Married women come to their parents home to celebrate the festival. It is an occasion for them to sing, dance and make merry. Songs in praise of Parvati, whose devotion to her husband is exemplary, are popularly sung. Special swings are hung on tree branches and the women swing on them. They fast to rededicate themselves to their husbands and family. It is believed that by praying to Goddess Parvati, marital bliss is bestowed upon oneself. Usually a fair is organised on this occasion.

After a ceremonial worship at home, an image of Parvati clad in red and gold, on a palanquin is taken out in a procession, representative of her marriage procession. Several elephants, camels and dancers accompany the idol.

Teej is also observed in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra as Hartalika Teej. This is a three-day festival celebrated by women also in honour of Parvati in the month of Bhadrapad. By praying to Parvati on these three days, unmarried girls hope to get a husband like Shiva.

Myth I

According to a Mythology, Parvati was in love with Shiva. Being an ascetic however, Shiva was not aware of her. Parvati performed penance on the Himalayas for many years before Shiva finally noticed her. Realising the depth of her love and devotion, he agreed to marry her. Since then Parvati has been worshipped as Hartalika.

Women and girls maintain nirjala vrata on these three days and keep awake all three nights. This is symbolic of the penance which Parvati undertook to get Shiva as her husband. They offer food to Brahmins and young girls.

In Maharashtra, women wear green bangles, green clothes, golden bindis and kajals to signify their luck. They offer fresh fruits and green vegetables to the Goddess as thanksgiving. When the rituals are over, they eat a feast of jaggery and rice patolis stemmed in banana leaves, a sweet made from coconut milk and rice and mixed vegetables cooked with spices and coconut milk. Tender coconut water is the treat of the day.

For the rural women, this is the time to pamper oneself by wearing bangles, bindis, necklaces.